Motor Vehicle Door Handle With Integrated Indistinguishable Keypad
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle keypad designs disrupt vehicle aesthetics and are difficult to integrate into moving assembly lines, especially on vehicles without B-pillars, resulting in bulky and poorly designed handles.
Innovation Solution
A door handle assembly with a keypad integrated into the grip, where the keypad is designed to be substantially indistinguishable from the handle, using a modular design that matches the appearance of the door panel, incorporating sensors and illumination to provide keyless entry while maintaining an aesthetically continuous appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the keypad is located on the B pillar or exterior sheet metal, then keyless entry function is provided, but vehicle aesthetics are disrupted and integration on moving assembly line is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The keypad is extracted from its traditional location on the B pillar or exterior sheet metal and relocated to the door handle assembly. This removes the aesthetic disruption from the vehicle body while maintaining the keyless entry function in an integrated, less obtrusive location that blends with the handle design.
Solution Approach 2:
The keypad is merged with the door handle assembly, combining two previously separate components into one integrated unit. This merging allows the keypad to be positioned in a location that maintains vehicle aesthetics while providing the required keyless entry functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the keypad is located on the B pillar or exterior sheet metal, then keyless entry function is provided, but integration on moving assembly line is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The keypad is merged with the door handle assembly, combining two previously separate components into one integrated unit. This merging allows the keypad to be positioned in a location that maintains vehicle aesthetics while providing the required keyless entry functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the keypad is made prominent on the handle, then keyless entry function is provided, but the handle becomes bulky and poorly designed
Solution Approach 1:
The keypad is designed with local quality by using materials and finishes that match the surrounding handle surface. The keypad surface has substantially the same appearance characteristics as the grip, creating a seamless visual transition that prevents the keypad from appearing bulky or out of place.
Solution Approach 2:
The keypad is designed with local quality by using materials and finishes that match the surrounding handle surface. The keypad surface has substantially the same appearance characteristics as the grip, creating a seamless visual transition that prevents the keypad from appearing bulky or out of place.
Data Source
AI summary
A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle includes a grip disposed between opposing mounting members. The mounting members are secured in an abutting relationship to a door panel of a vehicle door. The grip is spaced from the door panel by the opposing mounting members. A plurality of digitals comprising a keypad is disposed along the grip between the opposing mounting members. The grip includes a first appearance characteristic and the plurality of digitals includes a second appearance characteristic. The first appearance characteristic is substantially indistinguishable from the second appearance characteristic.